SpaceX’s Crew-10 mission has successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS), completing its journey without any complications. The Dragon capsule, launched from Cape Canaveral, reached the ISS 28 hours after liftoff, marking another milestone for private spaceflight.
The crew aboard Crew-10 includes NASA Commander Anne McClain, NASA pilot Nichole Ayers, Japanese astronaut Takuya Onishi from JAXA, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov. The launch took place on a Falcon 9 rocket, despite a slight delay due to a technical issue at the launch site.
Crew-10 Provides Relief for Stranded Astronauts
Crew-10’s arrival is especially significant for astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who have been stranded on the ISS since June. They had been waiting for a return flight after their original spacecraft, the Boeing Starliner, failed multiple tests. In light of this, NASA arranged for their return on a SpaceX Dragon capsule.
Upon docking, the crew of Expedition 72 greeted the new arrivals with enthusiastic floating embraces and wide smiles, marking a joyful reunion. The astronauts swiftly transitioned into their new responsibilities, preparing for the upcoming tasks that lie ahead.
Crew-9 Prepares for Departure
Now that Crew-10 is aboard, Crew-9 astronauts can focus on their return to Earth. Wilmore, Williams, NASA astronaut Nick Hague, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov are scheduled to depart on March 19 using a SpaceX Dragon capsule.
Before undocking, Crew-9 will spend the next few days training the new arrivals, ensuring a smooth handover of mission duties. Once the transition is complete, the capsule will separate from the ISS and return to Earth, landing off the coast of Florida.
SpaceX’s Reliability Highlights Boeing’s Setbacks
This smooth handover reinforces the growing reliability of SpaceX’s crewed missions, with the company continuing to demonstrate its capabilities in human spaceflight. Meanwhile, Boeing’s human spaceflight program still faces difficulties, as seen with the delayed return of Wilmore and Williams. While SpaceX is able to provide a reliable solution for astronauts in need of a ride home, Boeing has yet to overcome the challenges with its Starliner program.
As this ongoing collaboration between NASA and private space companies continues, spaceflight operations are becoming increasingly more seamless, with greater hope for the future of crewed missions beyond Earth’s orbit.